Inspection After Accident Damage

A. FUNDAMENTALS
Various kinds of damage can be caused to the steering gear in the event of accidents or driving conditions resembling accidents. In cases where the steering gear shows no external damage it can be difficult and costly to detect damage. Nevertheless, this damage represents an unacceptable risk for the vehicle, since it could lead to failure of the steering system.

Since a comprehensive check on all individual parts of the steering gear would not make sense, as a rule, and is not possible using the ordinary means of a workshop, instead the condition of other components that are easier to check should be considered.

The following guidelines (section B) serve for a decision on whether the steering gear of a vehicle involved in an accident should be replaced or may continue to be used.

B. ASSESSMENT OF THE STEERING OF A VEHICLE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT
The steering gear can remain in the vehicle if all the following conditions are met:
- No visible damage to such front-axle parts as wheel rims, spring struts, wheel carriers, control arms, steering arms, track rods, front-axle cross member, front-axle side members, the steering shaft or to the points on the body where wheel suspension parts are bolted on.
- No impermissible rise in torque and no jamming or catching when the steering gear is turned from stop to stop. When the steering is turned, the front wheels must be free (front axle raised) and, in addition, the engine must be switched off (pump of power steering un-driven).
- The permissible tolerances for wheel alignment must not be exceeded.

The steering gear must be repaired or replaced if one of the following points applies:
- Visible or detectable damage to the steering gear.
- Fire damage (e.g. steering bellows burnt).
- Permanent deformation or breakage of:
Steering-gear mounts
Track rods
Steering arms
Spring struts
Wheel carriers
Control arms
Front-axle side members
Front-axle cross members

If the listed criteria are insufficient for a decision, we recommend that the steering gear be repaired or replaced.

C. EXCEPTIONAL REGULATION/ORDER HANDLING
If a workshop's intended exchange of steering gear is refused by a customer or insurer for reasons of costs, an expert or-if this is impossible abroad, the importer - should be called in at the cost of the refusing party. If the decision contradicts the guideline, we recommend that a memorandum be drawn up on the point and that it be countersigned by the expert.

Externally undamaged power-assisted steering gear that has to be exchanged will be obtainable as an exchange part at a later time (as far as is known in March 1996).